Skip to main content

New Aston Martin caught without camouflage

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish spy shot front three-quarterAston Martin’s next sports car is supposed to remain under wraps for a few months, but the spies over at Automobile magazine caught an un-camouflaged prototype in public. The new car, which will replace the DB9 in Aston’s lineup, takes its styling cues from the AM310 concept, and will probably be called Vanquish.

The production car has the same general shape as the AM310, which was unveiled Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este last month. The front end looks almost exactly the same, although the production car does not have the AM310’s eggcrate grille. It also retains the AM310’s bulging fenders, and the dramatic crease following the side vents.

This new Aston may look a lot like the old DB9, but that’s the point. The company did not want to mess with a good thing; since its current cars already have a distinctive look, Aston felt evolutionary styling was better than a clean-sheet design. The result is a familiar shape updated with details from the One-77 supercar.

When the AM310 was unveiled, Aston said a name change wasn’t out of the question. When it hits showrooms, the new car will be called Vanquish, as indicated by the badge on its trunk. The name was originally used between 2001 and 2007 on the company’s flagship, a more muscular alternative to the DB7. It was also the car driven by James Bond in Die Another Day. The Vanquish was replaced (both as the top-performing Aston and as Bond’s car) by the DB9-based DBS.2013 Aston Martin Vanquish spy shot rear three-quarter

The old Vanquish got 450 horsepower from its 5.9-liter V12, and 514 hp in 6.0-liter Vanquish S trim. The new Vanquish will be powered by the same 5.9-liter V12 used in the DB9, Virage, and DBS, but with more than the DBS’ 510 hp.

The new car will also be significantly lighter than its predecessors, thanks to a carbon fiber body draped over the DB9’s aluminum VH chassis.

The Vanquish will make its official debut this August at the Pebble Beach Concours d-Elegance, coinciding with Aston Martin’s 100th anniversary. Maybe then we’ll get a peak under the hood. The Vanquish may not look too different from current Astons, but it does look good. If it’s as good to drive as it is to look at, this should be one great car.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Live out your 007 fantasy with this special edition Aston DBS Superleggera
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'

Previous

Next

Read more
Aston Martin will revive James Bond’s DB5 at a price only Goldfinger can afford

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 is one of the all-time great movie cars, and it's about to make a comeback. Aston is working with Eon Productions, the company that produces the Bond films, to build 25 new DB5s identical to the car that appeared in 1964's Goldfinger. As with the recent DB4 GT project, Aston prefers the term "continuation cars," not replicas.

Each new DB5 will be an exact copy of the original movie cars (one of which just reportedly resurfaced after years in hiding), right down to gadgets like the trademark revolving license plate. Unlike a genuine 1960s DB5, however, the new cars won't be road legal. Aston can't certify newly built cars designed for '60s safety standards.

Read more
Aston Martin Vantage AMR marks the return of the manual transmission
Aston Martin Vantage AMR

Previous

Next

Read more